New Fencing Champion & Baronial Keystone holder are named!

Fuego - New Baronial Fencing Champion

New Fencing Champion Named!

On July 25th 2018 Her Excellency and I held a tournament to determine our new Baronial Fencing Champion. The tournament was run by Don Behrend von Elmendorf in memory of our departed Champion Lord Wolfgang Starcke. In true tradition of the Hael the tournament was a grand display of skill and chivalry. In the end, due to her dedication to our fencing community and her prowess in the tournament, Her Excellency and I named Fuego our new Baronial Fencing champion. Fittingly her peers also named Fuego "Most Improved Fencer" on the same day. We look forward to watching Fuego at Seven Pearls and know she will do us proud!

Our thanks to the fencers who turned out for the tournament, the MOLs, and marshals. It should also be mentioned that in addition to the Champion spot, there was also an overall tournament winner. This honor went to Baron Caleb Reynolds.



New Baronial Keystone holder also named!

Lady Thalia - New Baronial Keystone holder

In 1999 The Barony was awarded a  Keystone for service to the Kingdom. Each year the Baron and Baroness are tasked to pick a new member of the populace to carry the Baronial Keystone. Traditionally the person does not have a Keystone of their own, but exemplifies the qualities of a member of the order. This year it was our honor (and the honor of our Heirs) to pick Lady Thalia Papillon to carry the Keystone for the coming year. Lady Thalia has severed the Barony as Baronial MOL, assisting at events, working on and donating largess projects, and in September will Autocrat her first event.

Her Excellency and I would also like to thank Lady Artemisia da Manarola for carrying the Keystone last year and for her continuing service to the Barony. As a credit to her continuing service Lady Artemisia made a new cord and carrying bag for the Keystone (along with making us think she lost the keystone as a lead in). Fittingly enough Their Majesties Sven and Siobhán saw fit to award Lady Artemisia her own Keystone and Her Excellency and I had the privilege to deliver the scroll to her on this day.

Fencing Champion Regalia

Fencing Champion Regalia

Champs continues - a new Archery Champion is named!

On July 22nd 2018, at the Archery Muster held in the Canton of Beau Fleuve, Her Excellency and I held our tournament to determine a new Archery Champion. The hopeful archers gathered, firing many arrows and consuming large amounts of pot luck, but in the end a choice was made.Lord Abdullah al-Rashid was named  the new Hael archery Champion! Anyone who has seen Lord Abdul with a bow will attest to the fact the Hael is well represented. Many thanks to our parting champion Lady Simonetta di Alfassi

Among the top shooters we had Lady Thalia  and Brian Wypij, both shot well, however Brian's work schedule does not allow him a trip to Blackstone and Lady Thalia has graciously accepted a position as our thrown weapons champion. We thank them both for their service.

The Dragon's Hoard - raise up your voices to this original song!

Our talented Bardic champion (Seven Pearls winner)  Éadaoin Gaelach Rua has graced the Barony with a wonderful song. Please read and hear her words. The talent of our populace always amazes us. 

"Song written for the Hael, original tune and lyrics. The chorus makes reference to the green and black of our coat of arms, alluding to what they represent within the Buffalo area. King Rydderch, for whom we're named, was rumored to wield the sword Dyrnwyn (DUHRN-win), which would only draw for a worthy person, and would sprout with flames when that was accomplished. He was also given the epithet Hael, meaning "generous." As an artist's note, I will always refer to the dragon on our arms as the Smiling or Laughing Dragon, as its mouth is always open, and I appreciate humor above many other institutions in the SCA. Please enjoy. Éadaoin Gaelach Rua".


The Dragon's Hoard - original song


The Dragon’s Hoard
© 2018 Rebecca Glon
For the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael

As you cross the western gate to Sylvan AEthelmearc,
A joyous country you will find with open arms.
Come drink with us, and eat your fill, and put your mind at ease.
Let all our smiles bring you in, like they once welcomed me.

chorus
Here, in the Rhydderich Hael,
We grow our dreams in rich, black earth and hunt our foes through the great pine wood,
And when we find our passion, we share our gifts as all should
And that’s the hoard our dragon guards.

Laughter and court shenanigans are timeless as the sun—
Just when you think we’re finished, we’ve only begun.
Our helping hands and fiber skills are many to behold
From artisan to dance, each Haelian proves bold.

But never think we’re without teeth for fending off dark hearts—
Our flying blades and flashing steel are common in these parts.
That’s if you best our Hael Hounds and engines of war:
Hospitable on top of a Murder Snowflake core.

chorus

Long ago, a British king who “Generous” title claimed,
Fought the Saxons valiantly, and it’s he for whom we’re named.
The thunder of our “Hael yeah!” may never turn a tide,
But lights the fire of Dyrnwyn that burns within our pride.

As you live this Dream and in between, may you find your worth.
Earn it with humility as you roam this mortal Earth.
Recall our Smiling Dragon and the humor in its gaze.
May that brightness strengthen this modern middle age.

chorus, hold note on “guards” 

July demo report of 2018 - A tale of fire!

Her Excellency and I receive a lot of officer reports, but rarely are they so eloquently worded that we feel motivated to blog about them. However, Lady Biotta's account of the 2018 4th of July demo was an exception! So please hear the words of our demo coordinator as she speaks of the brave demo marchers! Thank you everyone for your service that day!

"A call to march went out across the Baronial lands and though the heat was oppressive on that fourth day of July a small, but determined band of Haelies did answer that call for the honor of Their Beloved Excellencies. With a magnificent show of outfit with banners held high, the band of eighteen did make the slow trek through the village streets offering tokens to the waving crowds as others were doing before them.

Lo these hearty men and women with growing sense of fellowship did speak of their home ways with those observers while they marched along the chosen roads and showed to them some feats of their Martial prowess while sounding invitation to all to join them in their studies when next they met at their home base. And at times the journey seemed never ending, but they took heart and found new resolve in one of their own who brought stead with him and supplied quenching waters throughout to get them to the appointed end and rest for the weary".

So ends the July demo report of 2018.

Yours In Service, Biotta

It was a bit warm!

The Hael welcomes the first of the new champions!

Her Excellency and I have started the process of selecting new champions (who will also serve our Heirs). On July 16th at thrown weapons practice our current Champion Lord Akayuma Yatarou Kage’o held a tournament to determine the new thrown weapons champion. The tournament included multiple ax, knife, and spear targets as well as rather challenging "chocolate chip cookie" knife throw. As a tribute there was a Royal Round knife target that required throwers to use the throwing knives of Master Augusto Giuseppe da San Donato.

With all weapons thrown, we are proud to announce we have named Lady Thalia Papillon as our new thrown weapons champion. Lady Thalia has spent the first part of the season taking thrown weapons by storm throwing at practice, events, and in tournaments. We know she will represent the Barony with skill and honor. Please congratulate her when you see her.

Her Excellency and I thank Lord Akayuma for his service and all the throwers and spectators who attended the tourney.

Our quest for new champions continues with Archery at the Archery muster this weekend:

Canton of Beau Flueve - archery muster - Sunday July 22nd

Heavy champion tourney is schedule for August 15th and normal practice.

Rapier, A&S, and Bardic date are TBD.